Cancer Screening & Support

At Lake Regional Health System, we're with you in every way in the battle against cancer. As a result, we offer a wide range of services that help our patients to feel comfortable, cared for and respected during cancer treatment. And we have special programs that can help people in our community find cancer early or return to an active life after treatment.

Medicare Lung Cancer Screening

Surviving lung cancer depends on catching it early, and catching it early is difficult to do without screening. That's why Medicare covers an annual low-dose CT scan for people age 55 to 77 who have a history of heavy smoking and who smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years. “Heavy smoking” means a smoking history of 30 pack years, which equals one pack a day for 30 years; two packs a day for 15 years; or three packs a day for 10 years, etc.

At some hospitals, if the screening identifies an area of concern, the only follow-up tests available are invasive procedures that can carry significant risk. However, that’s not the case at Lake Regional. Our pulmonologist, Harjyot "Joe" Sohal, M.D., offers endobronchial ultrasound, also called EBUS, for lung cancer diagnosis and staging. With EBUS, Dr. Sohal can view multiple areas of the lungs and collect precise samples without invasive surgery. Learn more about EBUS.

If you are interested in receiving lung cancer screening, discuss the testing with their doctor. A physician’s order is required for the service.

Cancer Resource Navigator

Coping with a cancer diagnosis can be difficult. Our cancer resource navigator can help. The navigator can research your options, connect you with a support network and advocate on your behalf. Your navigator also can connect you with mental health and community resources to help you cope with the challenges cancer can bring. To connect with the resource navigator, call 573.302.2752.

Cancer Resource Center

Thanks to a partnership with the American Cancer Society and the generosity of community donations, we can offer you a variety of items that might help you feel more comfortable with your body during cancer treatments. In our Cancer Resource Center, we offer:

Breast prostheses

Hats

Wigs

We also offer nutritional supplements, travel assistance and support programs in our resource center. We're located inside the Cancer Center, so you can stop by before or after your appointment. You'll work with a volunteer who has firsthand knowledge of cancer, so you'll be in good hands.

Exercise Programs

Staying fit during and after cancer treatment can be difficult. Our programs can help:

Re-Live

What happens after cancer treatment? How can you return to an active life? Our Re-Live program can help. Here, you'll work with a multidisciplinary team who will create a customized program of diet and exercise. You'll get individual counseling throughout the program, and our team will monitor your progress. To enroll in this program, contact our cancer navigator at 573.302.2752.

Yoga Flow

This free training class in flexibility and balance is led by Nurse Educator Jennifer Newman, a certified YogaFit instructor. The class is designed to accommodate heart and cancer patients and others with limitations. For more information call 573.302.2282.

Nutrition Services

Proper nutrition plays an important role in your cancer care and healing. But some cancer therapies can zap your appetite, and others can leave you feeling too tired to cook. Our registered dietitians can help you find foods that support your recovery, and they can step in and provide added support, should your cancer interfere with your ability to eat a healthy diet.

Cancer Support Groups

Support group meetings can provide you with a wealth of knowledge about cancer—and they can connect you with others who know what it's like to live with cancer. We offer several cancer support groups, including:

Cancer Support Group for Men

This group is for men who are undergoing treatment or are in recovery. This is a lunch-and-share meeting. Cafeteria vouchers are provided. The group meets at 11:15 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. To find out more, call 573.302.2772.

HOPE for Women

This is a lunch-and-share meeting is for women who are undergoing treatment or are in recovery. Cafeteria vouchers are provided. The group meets at 11:30 a.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. To find out more, call 573.302.2797.

Cancer Classes

Learn more about how to live with cancer and cancer treatment side effects with one of our classes:

Look Good, Feel Better

This free workshop is provided by the American Cancer Society for all women undergoing cancer treatment. Women learn beauty techniques for skin care, makeup applications, and how to cope with hair loss. They also receive a complimentary bag of makeup. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. The workshop meets at 9:30 a.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. To find out more, call 573.302.2772.

Lymphedema 101

This is a one-hour course for patients at risk for developing lymphedema related to surgery or treatment. Reservations are required. The course meets at 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of every other month. To find out more, call 573.302.2772.

HOPE Program

HOPE: Helping Others Prosper and Endure

The HOPE Program at Lake Regional Cancer Center provides much-needed support to local cancer patients. All of the funding comes from community donations.

“The support provided to patients through the HOPE program is often the deciding factor in whether they will even proceed with treatment,” said Lake Regional Cancer Resource Navigator Nichole Stephens, LBSW. “We are so blessed to have this program and especially blessed to have such a giving community.”

Along with support for individual patients, donations to HOPE also contribute to various community cancer screening activities; the purchase of medical equipment for patient comfort; and support group activities.